Chapter 26

~Smokin'~

~*Edward*~

I sat outside Tanya's hotel and fingered the envelope Cricket had handed me as I was leaving the house. Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the car and strode through the lobby like I owned the place. The girl behind the desk did a covert double-take, then nodded and smiled.

"Evening." I winked, hoping to fluster her enough that she wouldn't question me. I've often found if one walks with purpose, others assume they belong and won't catalog as many details as they would about someone who seemed out of place or suspicious.

Just to be on the safe side, I took the stairs instead of the elevator to the fourth floor and peered up and down the hallway before heading for Tanya's room. I knocked on her door and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly.

Tanya swung the door open. "Edward! I'm so happy to see you." She stepped aside, far enough so I could enter but close enough that my arm brushed against her ample cleavage as I passed. Part of me was disgusted, but another part felt satisfaction at her indrawn breath. Tanya's body was wrapped in an ice-blue slip dress that clung to all her curves and strained against her breasts. There was no denying her beauty, but she was a scorpion on the inside. There was a time I would have fallen for her act, but those days were long past. My heart beat only for Bella and our baby.

The room was lavish with a bank of windows overlooking a well-lit, manicured courtyard. I slipped off my jacket and folded it over the envelope, placing it on a chair.

"Can I get you a drink?"

"Whiskey would be great. Neat." Normally, I'd offer to pour the drinks, be a gentleman, but Tanya didn't deserve niceties.

I strolled over to the couch and sat down, resting my arm across the back. Tanya brought our drinks over, handing me a tumbler of whiskey, then sat with one leg tucked beneath her, angling her body toward mine.

"So . . . you're finally here." Tanya's eyes were bright, and there was barely concealed glee in her expression.

"I am, and it's been a long time coming."

Tanya leaned forward, allowing me to view the swell of her tits, which threatened to spill over the edge of her dress. She placed her hand on my knee, inching up my thigh. I caught her hand before she reached her goal and shot her a dark look, one she could easily misinterpret. "What's your hurry?"

Tanya's breath hitched. "I've been waiting for this, but we can slow it down—especially since all roadblocks are out of the way."

I bristled at her referring to Bella as a "roadblock" but held my temper and brought her hand to my lips for a moment. "Where do you see this going? After all, you did try to blackmail me."

Tanya tilted her head, looking at me coquettishly from beneath long lashes. "Edward, must we rehash?" She pulled her hand away and cupped the side of my neck.

I captured her hand again, holding it between us before letting go. "We most definitely need to rehash, Tanya. I know what I'll do to get what I want in this life. I need to know what you would do. How far will you go?" Tipping the tumbler to my lips, I finished what was left in one gulp.

Tanya's eyes glittered, and she flipped her perfectly curled hair over one shoulder. "What. Ever. It. Takes." Then she finished her own drink, slamming the glass on the coffee table hard enough I thought it might crack.

There she was—the monster behind the pretty face, the spite-filled superbitch who had threatened to expose my affair with Bella to the heads of all the families.

"Now we're getting somewhere. Where is your proposed union between us headed?"

"Obviously, a marriage would unite our families. Daddy came here at Aro's invitation, but your father and his methods seem more in line with where the Denalis are headed. There's a lot of money to be made, and we want in. Aro is the only Mafioso I know who has a moral compass within the framework of all the very illegal shit we do. It's cumbersome and unnecessary." Tanya flapped a hand, pausing to gauge my reaction.

I nodded as if she'd captured my interest—which she had, but not for the reason she thought. "Go on."

"I've met with Eddie. He has big plans, so aligning and strengthening our families makes sense." Tanya looked down for a moment, her tone turning wistful. "We would make beautiful babies, Edward. Our children would secure the future, heirs to an empire."

What she left unsaid was heirs to the Corin empire. If the feeling in my gut was correct, my father and Lorenzo Denali had designs on the whole enchilada, and nothing good was likely to come of it. The thought of having children with Tanya was repugnant, especially knowing my child was already growing inside of my princess.

I surged to my feet and paced the floor. "Do you know who killed Aro's daughter, Tanya? Because he thinks I did it."

"It will blow over."

I rounded on her, eyes ablaze. "Did you just tell me it will 'blow over'?"

She shrank back against the couch. "Well, he has no proof!"

"Perhaps not, but whoever did this is a piece of shit for going after his daughter. She wasn't involved in any shady business dealings, so taking her out goes against our code."

Tanya laughed. "There are no innocents in this life, Edward."

"Maybe not, but there are rules. There's someone among us who went rogue, and that makes me nervous." I turned away from her and raked both hands through my hair, walking over to the windows. I pretended to look out at the courtyard, but I watched her in the reflection.

Tanya tilted her head, regarding me curiously, then rose and stalked toward me like a panther. She laid her palms on my back, gliding them up to my shoulders. I wanted to shove her away, but I controlled the urge.

"Would you have done it?" I asked softly.

"Done what, baby?" Her strong fingers dug into my muscles, working them expertly.

"Told everyone I was having an affair with Bella if I didn't drop her to marry you."

"I didn't tell anyone—I swear."

"But would you have?"

Tanya dropped her hands from my shoulders and huffed, her shrill voice going up an octave. "Well, yes, but I didn't!"

Rounding on her, I gripped her by the tops of both arms and walked her back against the wall. I leaned in close, and pitched my voice low. "My father asked me to bed Aro's daughter. Your threats almost ruined everything. And then someone fucked our plans by killing her."

Her eyes went wide. "Well, I had no idea she was part of Eddie's plan! And I'm sure whoever lured her into the back office didn't either!"

My stomach did a sickening roll. As far as I knew, the details of where Bella "died" or how she came to be in the office weren't released to the public. Maybe it wasn't a stretch to come to the conclusion that someone had baited her there in order to kill her, but my gut told me Tanya was involved in some way. White-hot rage rocketed through my veins, but I fought the urge to force the truth out of her; I needed to find out who the mastermind behind the fire was—tipping my hand too soon wouldn't serve us—so I decided to blow Tanya's secret out of the water.

"We can't be together, Tanya."

She gazed at me with amusement and deliberately pressed her tits against me. "Of course we can. What's stopping us?"

"Trust. Not only did you try to blackmail me, but you just confirmed you would have gone through with your threats."

Tanya leaned up, pressing a kiss against my neck, and whispered, "Well, you wanted to know how far I'd go. Now you know being on my good side is much safer."

I stepped away and stalked over to the chair, grabbing the envelope from under my coat. I stood across the breakfast bar from her and slapped some photos down on the marble top—Tanya with Lou D'Angelo on the patio of his mansion: drinking cocktails, sharing an intimate meal, sitting beside his pool.

Tanya stared at the glossy eight by tens. "What the fuck are these?"

"You tell me."

She glared at me. "This is nothing."

I raised my eyebrows. "Really? Doesn't look like nothing to me."

Tanya put her hands on her hips. "Oh please! I was working him for information. What's your point with this?" She threw me a sly look. "Are you jealous?"

Gritting my teeth, I slapped my hands against the counter. "You and I will never happen." She opened her mouth, and I held a hand up. "Don't bother threatening me. If you try to blackmail me again, I'll make sure these pictures are delivered to key people."

She laughed, shooting me a spiteful look. "You're not very good at this, are you? Those pictures prove nothing." She swept them aside. "Now, put them away so we can discuss the wedding."

I stalked around the breakfast bar, bringing us inches apart. She looked up at me triumphantly, which caused a harsh laugh to erupt from the depths of my being. "So you aren't having an affair with Lou D'Angelo? Because I don't think it would bode well for the relationship between our families."

"I am not having an affair with that . . . that buffoon!"

I slapped another photo down. "Guess that's not you kissing him?"

Another. "Or that one?"

Another. "And this one isn't of you on your knees with him balls deep in your fucking mouth?"

With a piercing shriek, Tanya grabbed the photos and ripped them to pieces. She threw some of them at me and stomped on the ones that fluttered to the floor.

"You're welcome to keep these as a memento, maybe put them back together like some kind of deviant puzzle."

"Fuck you! I'll destroy you! You motherfu—"

I grabbed her by the throat, cutting off her words, and slammed her against the wall. I brought my lips close to her ear. "Hear this. If you fuck with me, these photos and more go viral. This is just a taste of what I have on you." Tanya clawed at my arm, fighting to dislodge my hold. I tightened my grip, and her eyes bulged as she gasped for air. Her neck collapsed easily beneath my thumbs, choking off her supply of air, and it frightened me how easily I could take her life. "Tell me you understand, Tanya." I loosened my hold, and she slid down the wall, wheezing as she took deep breaths.

"You're . . . a fucking . . . psycho!"

"You don't have a clue, but you will learn quickly if you fuck me with me again." I stood over Tanya, gazing down at her with a calm, deadly stare. "Tell me."

"I understand, you prick!" Her eyes flared with hatred.

I crouched down, bringing us closer to eye level. "I am a prick. Don't forget it. I have enough information to decimate your whole fucking family. A match between you and me is off the table. Never speak of it again."

Standing, I grabbed the envelope and turned it upside down, allowing more compromising photos of Tanya to rain down around her. Once it was empty, I grabbed my coat and left her there in tears. After I shut the door, I heard the smash of glass breaking.

If I find out she had anything to do with the fire, she's as good as dead.

I drove around for over an hour, taking my aggression out on the highway. When I was finally calm enough to return to the penthouse, it was nearing one in the morning. By the level of activity going on when I stepped off the elevator, you'd think it was mid-afternoon.

A stack of pizza boxes, various bottled drinks, and a bucket of ice sat on the breakfast bar. Santo and Emmett leaned against the counter, deep in conversation.

Emmett lifted his chin. "Yo, E! How'd it go?"

"It went. Message delivered." I bumped fists with Santo. "Hey, man. Thanks for all your support. I can't tell you what it means to us."

"You got it, Tony—or should I call you Edward?"

I smirked. "Tony is fine." I continued to the living room. Jasper, Alice, Rose, and Angela sat clustered around the coffee table talking. Bella stood at the windows, looking out over the city. Everyone else said hello to me, but Bella still didn't turn around. Shit.

I walked up behind her. "Hey," I called out softly, not wanting to startle her. I wound my arms around her waist, pressing my palms against the place Baby Masen was growing.

Her body was stiff at first, but she sighed deeply and relaxed against me. "Tony, how do you do this to me?"

"What?"

"I was so pissed off, but you put your arms around me and melt my insides, obliterating my anger."

I placed a kiss in the crook of her neck. "Because you love me, and you know whatever I do, it's for us—and our baby."

Bella turned to face me, looping her arms around my neck, and placed her cheek against my chest. "Why do you smell like another woman?" she mumbled into my shirt.

I laughed, stroking her hair. "I love that you asked me that not with accusation but with genuine curiosity."

"One thing I'm sure of is that you will do risky shit, but I never question your loyalty to me and the baby. I know you'd do anything for us."

"That's right, princess." I kissed the top of her head and tightened my hold, swaying back and forth. "I love that you trust me so completely. I feel the same about you."

Bella lifted her head and pinned me to the spot with her expressive eyes. "Now tell me what's going on, Tony."

I told her the unvarnished truth with the exception of my suspicion that Tanya might be involved in the fire that nearly took Bella's life. First, I wasn't sure exactly what Tanya was guilty of, and second, I knew Bella would go after Tanya herself—not a risk I was willing to take with the pregnant love of my life.

"Wait, she's having an affair with Lou?"

"Afraid so."

"We have to let my dad know that the Denalis have their own agenda, and now he needs to look into the D'Angelos too."

Angela came up next to us. "What about the D'Angelos?"

Bella and I exchanged a look. I shrugged. "It's up to you."

She took Angela's hand. "Honey, Tanya is having an affair with Lou."

Angela looked puzzled for a moment, then planted a hand on one hip. "That fucker! Do my dad and Uncle Aro know about this?" When I seemed surprised by her reaction, she waved a hand. "Please. He's been sleeping around for a long time—one of the many reasons I kicked his ass out of my bed. I'm only worried about the loyalty implications. Is he the only disloyal asshole, or is the rest of his family playing us?"

I shook my head. "I'm not sure, but we will find out."

Santo came up behind Angela and placed his hands on her shoulders. "What's going on, Angel?"

She leaned back against him. "Lou is wetting his beak with Tanya Denali."

"Guess we need to add the D'Angelos to the suspect list. I never liked that pezzo di merda." Piece of shit. Santo scowled. "Any man that can take such a beautiful woman for granted isn't to be trusted. But his idiocy is definitely to my benefit." He put his arms around Angela and rested his chin on her shoulder.

Angela let out a dreamy sigh. "I'm so lucky we found each other."

I nodded. "You're very fortunate, but we still need to be cautious. Santo is supposed to be grieving Bella, and so are you."

"You're right."

Most of the group was gathered in the living room discussing sleeping arrangements since it was late, and a lot of alcohol had been consumed. Work would resume in the morning.

I didn't give a damn who slept where; I couldn't wait to be alone with my princess. "Come to bed," I murmured. "You need your rest."

Bidding everyone goodnight, I took Bella by the hand and led her to the bedroom. We stared at each other in the low light. A blush rose to her cheeks, and I wondered what was going through her mind.

I grazed my knuckles over her cheek tenderly. "Why are you blushing?" I asked softly.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" She cocked an eyebrow.

I wrapped an arm around her waist, tugging her toward me. "I would."

Bella skimmed her palms up my chest and around my neck. She buried her fingers in my hair, sending a shiver of pleasure coursing up my spine. "I was thinking that I missed you"—going up on tiptoe, she licked my jaw—"and how I would like you to smell like me rather than Tanya," she whispered against my ear, sending a rush of desire blazing through me.

"On that we agree, princess." Turning us, I backed her toward the bed, lowering her onto layers of fluffy down. She spread her arms wide and gazed up at me coyly, a tousled halo of dark hair surrounding her face.

I joined her, my heart beating faster. We undressed each other slowly, teasingly, in between touches and kisses until discarded clothing surrounded the bed. I explored the gentle slopes and generous curves of her body, paying special attention to the spots that pleased her the most. In time, Bella made a place for me in the cradle of her thighs and reached for me. I needed this. We needed this—to reaffirm our love, to wash away the past.

I swept the hair away from her face and locked eyes with her. "Need you, princess." My voice was hoarse with emotion. I couldn't waste time being embarrassed. Bella had turned my existence upside down, and there was nothing I wouldn't do for her now.

"I need you too. So much."

Our lips met in a searing kiss. She wrapped her legs around my hips, urging me deep inside her. I laced my fingers with hers, pressing her captured hand to the mattress, and we made love slowly, languidly, layers of sensation and emotion building to a crescendo until we became one, and nothing else existed.

~oOo~

A/N: First order of business . . . I want to wish you and yours a joyous holiday season. Make time for special moments even when it's hard. You won't regret it. Second, my apologies for the slow updates. I have a lot going on in my life right now. I appreciate every one of you and your support more than I can say.

Does anyone else find angry Edward hot? *fans self* Tanya is in a world of trouble, and so is anyone else who has crossed Edward. What are your thoughts? You know how I love to hear them.

I'm working on the next chapter of Animal. When I posted the last chapter, it was during Fanfail's epic seizure. If you missed the chapter, you might want to catch up because the story reached a pivotal moment, and in the next one, we will be screaming our way down the big hill on the roller coaster.

I post teasers and links to updates on Facebook in the No Rules Twilight Fan Fiction, The Twilight Fanfiction Finders, and It All Started With Twilight groups.

Thanks and gratefulness as always to my awesome betas, SassySue (chayasara) and Wendy (wmr1601). These ladies make my stuff much more presentable! (Translation: save me from sounding like a blathering fool)

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